The Thunder Mountain volleyball team is in position to make some noise in the Southeast Conference with five returning starters, all in their third year with the program. And all are in agreement: It’s time for the Falcons to take the next step.

“Our girls have worked extremely hard for the past three seasons but this summer, they’ve taken it to another level,” TMHS coach Adriana Rodriguez said. “All of our starters went to back-to-back camps, and all of the hard work they’ve put in has really taken our program to the next level.

Thunder Mountain fell to 0-3 on the year after a 46-6 loss to Nikiski on a soggy, sloppy Saturday night in Juneau.

Rain steadily poured down throughout the game as the two teams combined for nine fumbles, with Thunder Mountain turning the ball over four times while Nikiski gave it away just once. The Falcons also were flagged for 10 penalties, Nikiski seven, and the Bulldogs took advantage of great field position throughout the game.

Thunder Mountain cross-country is entering its third season of competition, and the Falcons are eager to take the next step toward the top of Region V.

TMHS graduated just three seniors from last year’s team and has 33 runners out this season, which begins Saturday on Juneau’s Treadwell Cross-Country Course at Savviko Park with the girls running at about 1 p.m.

Homer’s senior back of all trades ran roughshod over Thunder Mountain, scoring eight touchdowns in four different ways as the Mariners blitzed to an 84-20 win over the Falcons in a Thursday night game at TMHS.

Day scored on a fumble recovery, a punt return, a reception and five more times rushing. For good measure, he also intercepted a pass before finishing with 154 yards on 10 carries with a 42-yard scoring reception.